GAA
8 July 1998

HOWLEY DISTRIBUTION SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

1st ROUND REPLAY

LATE GOAL RUSH SEALS FLATTERING CLAREMORRIS WIN

By Jonathan Mullin

Claremorris . . .3-9 Bonniconlon . . .2-5

Two goals in the final six minutes of this replayed first round encounter put a gloss on an otherwise workmanlike Claremorris performance which saw them come from five points adrift early in the second half to snatch an unlikely win.

The telling factor in those closing few minutes was undoubtedly the greater mobility of the Claremorris full-forward line, and, in-particular, the introduction of the lively Greg Mulkerrins ten minutes from time.

Mulkerrins was first to react to an unusually limp Brendan Fitzpatrick free six minutes from time to place the ball accurately past Raymond Gallagher in the Bonniconlon goal.

Mulkerrins,a minor with Mayo this year, linked up well with a minor from 1997, Stevie Walsh, in the Claremorris full-forward line and together these two live-wires electrified the Claremorris revolt late in the game, Walsh announcing his arrival on the scene with a well-taken second goal of the game in the final minute.

At this stage of the game, Bonniconlon were a shadow of the side that led 2-5 to 1-2 at the beginning of the second half. The substance of this lead, and how it came about, was startling. Within twenty seconds of referee Martin Corcoran officiating over the resumption of the match, Seamus Foody has the ball in the back of the Claremorris net. The cat was among the pigeons now, as far as Claremorris' assault on the Senior championship was concerned.

But, to their credit, they responded in resolute style.

Johnny Cummins pointed soon after to keep last year's Intermediate championship winners well within their sights. The Claremorris defence began to tighten up just that little bit, in the process prompting their forward colleagues to greater heights.

Kevin Beirne, although not as surefooted going forward, was a rock in the Claremorris rearguard. Similarly, Kenneth Mortimer at centre half-back snuffed out any immediate threats to Niall Creighton's full-back line, where, when called upon, Ray Hession demonstrated why he is considered to be one of the most improved footballers in South Mayo.

Seven minutes into the half, Bonniconlon's chief scoring threat, Paschal Tuohy, notched up his fourth point of the game. Surprisingly, for a team in the ascendancy for much of the game, collapsed inexplicably. And, for the remainder of the game, they rarely threatened the Claremorris goal; lost all composure in front of same; and consequently failed to score for the final twenty three minutes.

Ger Brady stretched the Bonniconlon defence for his first score and Brady's point was imitated subsequently by similar efforts from Brendan Fitzpatrick (2) and John Hession.

Ten minutes from time, a wonderful effort from Fitzpatrick, wide on the left side of the field, narrowed the gap to two points. This advantage was engulfed on Mulkerrins' introduction.

Fitzpatrick's placed free never had the elevation to reach its desired target and when the ball was spilled by the Bonniconlon defence, Mulkerrins reacted the quickest and finished consummately from close range.

Claremorris, developing a taste for their new found lead, sought to increase it further and did so two minutes from time when corner-froward Stevie Walsh pointed after a jinking run.

Four points to the good - Claremorris were safe.

Just to make sure, and to cap an authoritatively impressive display, Walsh rounded Gallagher in the style of Ronaldo, and lashed the ball home to put a flattering slant on the scoreboard. No doubting that Claremorris deserved their win however, and Garrymore await Sunday's victors in the last eight.

Walsh, Beirne, Mortimer and Ray Hession were the brightest stars in an overall team display while Bonniconlon were best served by Paschal Tuohy, Fintan O'Donnell, Colm Foody, Brian McDermott, Seamus Glacken, J.J. Fleming and Ollie Murray.

Claremorris: Niall Creighton, Ray Hession, Declan Mahon, Kevin Beirne, David Whittle, Kenneth Mortimer, Cathal Casey, Padraig Costello, John Hession (0-1), Brendan Ffrench, Johnny Cummins (0-2), Anthony Joyce, Brendan Fitzpatrick (0-3), Ger Brady (0-2) and Stephen Walsh (2-1). Subs: Noel Doherty for Casey, Greg Mulkerrins (1-0) for Ffrench.

Bonniconlon: Raymond Gallagher, Padraig Reape, Fintan Tuohy, Ollie Naughton, J.J. Fleming, Daniel Ruane, Ollie Murray, Seamus Glacken, Seamus Foody (1-0), Ollie Ginty, Colm Foody, David Melvin, Fintan O'Donnell (1-0), Paschal Tuohy (0-4 2f) and Brian McDermott (0-1).

Ref: Martin Corcoran (Islandeady).

All-Ireland Junior 'B' Hurling semi-final

MAYO HURLERS REACH FINAL

Mayo 1-12 Leitrim 1-2

Mayo hurlers have qualified for two finals by agreement with Leitrim prior to this game which was a curtain raiser at Markievicz Park on Sunday. By virtue of the win Mayo have reached the All-Ireland Junior 'B' final and are also into the Connacht final, which will be played at Hyde Park this Saturday at 5.00.

It was a an impressive and resourceful display by Mayo who showed a good deal of craft in this game.

Although Leitrim hit an early goal it was Mayo who were very much the dominant force and by the interval they led 1-4 to 1-1, the goal coming from Derek McDonnell.

Leitrim added only one further point in the second half as Mayo took over in many quarters and a string of points from Dom Greally and Dermot Tiernan who picked off five points for Mayo., Mayo: Declan Cafferkey (Ballina), Pat Ryan (Castlebar), Kenny Golden (Ballina), Brian Delaney (Tooreen), Paddy Barrett (Belmullet), Ger. Greally (Tooreen, Adrian Hession 9Tooreen 0-1); Paul Hunt (Tooreen), Pat Freyne (Tooreen), Derek McDonnell (Belmullet 1-0); Dermot Tiernan (Westport 0-5); Pearse Higgins (Ballyhaunis), Dom Greally (Tooreen 0-3); Ger Glavey (Tooreen). Subs: Owen Shaughnessey (Castlebar 0-1), John Kennedy (Castlebar) and Kieran Conroy (Belmullet).

SPORTING SIDELINES

By Jonathan Mullin

The Third Midfielder

From the three championship games I've borne witness to in the last two weekends, it is clear that the cult of the third midfielder is certainly in vogue.

The idea behind it is obvious; to tilt the vital midfield sector in your favour, winning the possession to feed the forward line. Most matches are won by the side gathering most of the breaking ball in midfield.

Theoretically, it should lead to a more open game, with usually the third centre field man being taken out of the full-forward line, leaving just the two inside. With more space in the full-froward line more scores should ensue and entertainment should be at an optimum. Certainly, you'll find that some of the more exciting games on the circuit are the under-21 'B' championship which is played with 13-a-side, two in the full-back line and two in the full-forward line.

But, so far this Summer, it hasn't, in entertainment terms, worked out that way at all. For example, Hollymount used Noel Connelly (admittedly to excellent effect) as the third man in midfield against Kiltimagh in Gilmartin Park on Sunday week last and all it led to was a congested midfield where the play was close, room was at a premium and instead niggly, silly fouls, from a lack of space, was the result. A good game to watch, it certainly was not.

Similarly, and to a greater degree even, Sunday's replayed senior championship game in Claremorris saw both sides implement the tactic, with Claremorris mobilising the youthful legs of Ger Brady and Bonniconlon adopting a similar approach with Fintan O'Donnell.

What resulted was six men in or around the midfield area with little room for creativity. Fouls were persistent and pitty the poor referees, who now have to follow foolhardy regulations with regard to personal fouls, a type of misdemeanour which appeared to happen every five seconds in Claremorris.

So, the third midfielder, is in vogue once again. For Claremorris on Sunday, with the speed of Stevie Walsh and Greg Mulkerrins it certainly worked. Ten out of ten for application. But for overall entertainment value, don't ask.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998